Last Updated on February 21, 2024 by Admin
Creating a local SEO strategy has become more important than ever for businesses looking to take advantage of mobile as well as changing human behavior. Customers across all types of industries are searching for the best products and services near them.
As per the statistics, 46% of all Google searches have local intent. Furthermore, 76% of users visit related businesses within one day of conducting a local search on their phones.
If your business is not reflecting when someone in your location performs a search, that’s a huge missed opportunity. So, if you want to stay relevant, having a local SEO plan is crucial.
In this article, we will explore the complete local SEO checklist that will help attract local customers and increase organic traffic as well.
Local SEO checklist to attract organic traffic and engage customers
Furthermore, we have listed a few steps that will help you create a local SEO strategy and take your business to the next level:
#1. Setup Google Business Profile
The first step to get started with a local SEO strategy is to create a Google My Business (GMB) profile. GMB helps Google learn the location of your business, and it can also rank well on Google on its own.
You can claim the Google listing for your company in case it’s already existing. If not, make a new one for your business. You can include your contact number, address, photos and reviews right in the search results.
Further, there’s an option to add a link to your local business website in your GMB profile. By including a “Website” button in your listing, Google makes it simple for customers to locate it.
#2. Publish Posts on GMB
Google My Business also acts as your company’s social media profile. Here, you can post updates, events, news and informative articles as well. These posts help to improve your search engine rankings and boost visibility. Below are a few ideas to follow:
- Special offers and discounts: Promotional offers like 20% discount, buy 1 get 1 free, or free shipping can help attract new customers. You can include a catchy title and even a validity period for the offer. For such posts, there is a View Button added by Google.
- What’s new: Show off new products such as new menu items for your restaurant or new book titles for a bookstore. You can also inform the customers about new services you are launching.
- Events: By making use of your GMB profile, you can easily attract new customers to a local event. You can add photos and videos to get people excited. For instance, you can add an event related to a popular band playing next to your restaurant.
- Create updates: If your business is closed for renovation or working hours have changed, you can post the update on the same.
#3. Encourage Customer Reviews
Reviews and testimonials influence your rankings on search engines. They offer social proof, give prospective customers confidence in your business, and validate your expertise. Consumers nowadays read reviews before purchasing anything or spending their money.
A report by PowerReviews suggests more than 99.9% of users read reviews while online shopping. Also, Google recommends replying to reviews as it indicates that you value feedback from your customers. These reviews also help you understand your customers better and make the required changes.
However, don’t ask for reviews in exchange for discounts or coupons. If you try to cheat the process, Google may impose penalties.
#4. Optimize Your Website
You can’t have a great local SEO strategy in place without a solid foundation. And a website is an important component. Without a great website, no optimization will give you the results you want.
Here are a few tips to follow for website optimization:
- You need to create a contact, home, and about page on your website.
- On the contact page, write the full name, address, and other information for each location.
- If you have less than 10 locations, it’s advisable to list all the addresses in the website’s footer.
- Make sure the page speed is fast and it loads quickly.
- Ensure your phone numbers are clickable via mobile.
- Include a Google Map on the contact page so that users can easily find you. This will help improve rankings as well.
#5. Build Citations in Local Directories
Citations refer to NAP (Name, Address, and Phone Number) in business directories, websites, and social media pages like Facebook and Yelp. These make it easier for Google to verify your business on GMB profile as well. Citations have a major impact on your Google rankings. They can also serve as backlinks because they frequently include a link to your website.
Here’s how you can create citations correctly:
- Conduct a citation audit to look for outdated and duplicate citations if any.
- Several websites allow you to submit information about your business manually.
- Keep updating your citations if you decide to make significant changes to your business.
Make sure your citations are accurate and consistent across the internet. When citing your company’s data, always adhere to the same structure and spelling. Potential customers along with users will find it less confusing.
#6. Performing a Local SEO Audit
Local SEO is not a one-time process; it’s an ongoing process. Therefore, it’s essential to perform a comprehensive audit to see where your website stands and what needs to be done in order to achieve your goals. A local SEO audit entails the following:
- Google Business Profile Audit: Ensure that all the information on Google My Business profile is correct.
- On-page SEO Audit: You need to see if all the on-page elements are optimized or not. They play a crucial role in improving search engine rankings and improving traffic.
- Citations Audit: Conduct a citation audit to check if the information is updated, accurate, and consistent on all platforms.
- Website Audit: Make sure your website is optimized and performing well.
- Competitor Analysis: Comparing your website with that of your competitors will help you identify gaps if any.
Wrapping Up!
To strive in this digital era, paying attention to local SEO can prove advantageous for your business. By taking note of the above checklist and practices your business can thrive and improve its rankings. Also, optimizing your website locally attracts more customers and increases organic traffic as well. If you need assistance with local SEO, it’s advisable to contact a reputed digital marketing agency like AlgoSaga. The experts will guide you in the whole process and make local SEO journey easier for you!